The Canonization of Pope John Paul II

1. The Canonization of Pope John Paul II Beloved Pope to be Named a Saint on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2014

2. John Paul II : As the Leader of the Church • John Paul II was second-longest serving Pope in history (1978 -2005). • He helped to end the Communist government in his home country of Poland. • This Pope was considered one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. • He visited 129 countries during his reign as Pope. • He reached out to Protestants, Jews and Muslims alike. • He showed us how to bear pain and suffering in his old age.

3. He Was a Man of Virtue

4. How Does a Person become a Saint? • The Church decides to investigate the life of a candidate for sainthood to see whether they have lived a holy life. • They look at their writings to see whether these are consistent with Catholic doctrine. • The Church reads about their accomplishments and listens to evidence that they have lived a life of sacrifice and service to God. http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0136.html Saunders, Rev. William. "The Process of Becoming a Saint." Arlington Catholic Herald.

5. Venerable, Blessed, then Saint • Once a person has been judged to have lived a life of “heroic virtue,” that person is declared “Venerable” • If a miracle is attributed to the intercession of the candidate, that person may be declared Blessed. • Usually it is only after a second miracle that a person is considered for sainthood. http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0136.html Saunders, Rev. William. "The Process of Becoming a Saint." Arlington Catholic Herald.

6. Miracles Attributed to JPII • Two Miracles have been approved by the Vatican’s Congregation for the Cause of Saints The role of the Congregation is to investigate potential cases for sainthood and to decide whether the case may be referred to the Pope. http://saints.sqpn.com/congregation-for-the-causes-of-saints/

7. John Paul II’sMiracles • First Miracle:A French Nun prayed to John Paul II to intercede and is cured of Parkinson’s Disease. • Second Miracle: “Doctors have also said a Costa Rican woman was inexplicably cured after suffering a cerebral aneurism. She was cured on May 1, the very day John Paul II was beatified.” http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-john-paul-ii-to-be-canonized-this-spring/

8. Pope Francis Will Declare Two New Saints April 27, 2014 is the day Pope Francis will declare Pope John the XXIII and Pope John Paul II as Saints The Church will celebrate these two holy men who made such an impact on the Church in the Modern Era

9. Prayer to Pope John Paul 11 O Blessed Trinity, we thank You for having graced the Church with Blessed John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of Your Fatherly care, the glory of the Cross of Christ, and the splendor of the Spirit of love, to shine through him. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with You. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will, the graces we implore, knowing that he is numbered among Your saints. Amen. Adapted from :http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resources/john-paul-ii/beatification/prayer-to-implore-favor-through-the-intercession-of-blessed-john-paul-ii/